No other actions were taken by Yu Jingchen. Only the faint candlelight flickered in the room. Nan Zhiyun closed her eyes, unsure if she was asleep or still awake.
It was time for the morning court. Yu Jingchen had not slept well that night. By the time Xing Lai entered, he was already up. Nan Zhiyun was still lying on her side, appearing not to have woken up yet.
By rights, Nan Zhiyun should have gotten up to help Yu Jingchen change. But as Xing Lai was about to call her, Yu Jingchen stopped him. "You can't wake her. Let her be." Nan Zhiyun hadn't slept at all. She was pretending to be asleep now. What would be the point of waking her if you called her?
"Yes." Xing Lai understood and said nothing more.
When Yu Jingchen reached the outside, Qian Xia was preparing to enter the room. After all, it was time to tidy up and then go to Yun Peng Palace to pay respects.
"Where are you going?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Replying to Your Majesty, this servant is going to help Her Ladyship with her washing. It will soon be time to pay respects," Qian Xia answered respectfully. She knew about what had happened last night, so Qian Xia was also very worried about Nan Zhiyun.
As for paying respects… Although Nan Zhiyun was one of the four concubines, due to Yu Jingchen's attitude, she had very little status in the harem. Every time she went to pay respects, she was the object of everyone's mockery. Qian Xia felt heartbroken and even thought it would be better not to go. However, if she didn't go, and some people said something else and it reached His Majesty's ears, she might be punished again. Therefore, Nan Zhiyun dared not do so.
Hearing about paying respects, Yu Jingchen frowned slightly. "She's not even awake. Why are you calling her?" Yu Jingchen did not pay much attention to harem matters.
"Your Majesty, this is a long-standing rule. Unless there are special circumstances, Consort Shu should also go. However… although Consort Shu has a noble status, she inevitably suffers ridicule every time she goes to pay respects…" Xing Lai spoke at the opportune moment. He originally did not want to meddle, but seeing His Majesty's attitude now, he could not help but say a few more words.
He was indeed loyal to His Majesty, but he also felt sympathetic towards Consort Shu. He had served Yu Jingchen since childhood, and Consort Shu often used to linger around His Majesty when she was young. Therefore, he actually regarded her as a mistress, and Consort Shu was indeed very cute when she was young.
Furthermore, there were also the Empress Dowager and General Nan. How the Empress Dowager treated His Majesty, even if His Majesty might not see it clearly, he, an observer, saw it all. Coupled with his genuine admiration for General Nan Su, he was willing to help Consort Shu a little more.
Indeed, upon hearing Xing Lai's words, Yu Jingchen's displeasure was evident. "What do you mean?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Your Majesty, the mistresses and consorts in the palace act according to your preferences. Consort Shu has not pleased you before, so some people are naturally not attentive. I heard… every time she goes to pay respects, those concubines of lower rank, to please the higher-ranking concubines, or even just to make themselves feel better, deliberately belittle Consort Shu. Consort Shu has a gentle nature and fears displeasing Your Majesty, so… she has been enduring it." Xing Lai continued.
Yu Jingchen's brows furrowed immediately. Xing Lai could tell that he was angered.
"Who can she blame for being foolish? Doesn't she have the Empress Dowager supporting her? Is this all she can achieve?" Yu Jingchen's words seemed to blame Nan Zhiyun for her own incompetence, but Xing Lai knew that His Majesty's anger now was certainly not due to Consort Shu's fault.
"She doesn't need to go today. Consort Shu is confined to her residence and is not allowed to leave without a decree. No one from outside is allowed to enter or leave He An Hall freely," Yu Jingchen said finally.
"Yes…" Xing Lai was somewhat surprised. Normally, one might think Consort Shu had angered His Majesty again. But Xing Lai knew that His Majesty was likely doing this for Consort Shu.
In the past, Consort Shu was not favored and had incurred His Majesty's displeasure, which was known to almost everyone inside and outside the palace. It was rather sudden for His Majesty to personally waive the morning greetings, and it would attract attention. Moreover, with General Nan's triumphant return, there might be other complications…
"Since she doesn't need to pay respects, there's no need to call her," Yu Jingchen said to Qian Xia, who was standing nearby.
"Yes…" Qian Xia didn't know how to feel. On one hand, it was good that she didn't have to pay respects. On the other hand, His Majesty had confined the Consort to her residence; could it be that he was angry again and might take it out on the Consort?
Yu Jingchen said nothing more and left He An Hall directly. The news of Nan Zhiyun's confinement quickly spread throughout the palace and naturally reached Ci An Palace.
"Empress Dowager, are you going to see His Majesty? Consort Shu has been confined without any reason…" An Xin asked the Empress Dowager.
"No need to go. You watch her carefully and don't let the servants neglect Yun'er. Don't worry about anything else." The Empress Dowager did not seem as worried.
An Xin found it a bit strange. If it were in the past, the Empress Dowager would have been the most concerned. But why wasn't she concerned this time?
"Ah Su should be back soon. When he returns, the time will be about right," the Empress Dowager said meaningfully.
"Empress Dowager… have you really made up your mind? Your servant is worried…" An Xin also knew the Empress Dowager's plan, but she felt it was a bit risky. How could His Majesty's thoughts be so easily controlled?
"An Xin, if you are not satisfied with the current situation, why would you resign yourself to it? Some things, even if uncertain, must be tried. His Majesty is different now, isn't he? Someone will always have to teach him. No matter who it is, they will always make mistakes. Even if he is the ruler of a nation, he must bear the consequences of his mistakes. If he says he can bear the mistakes, then he can bear the consequences." The Empress Dowager's tone was very gentle. An Xin felt that the Empress Dowager had changed, but the Empress Dowager still seemed to be the same Empress Dowager.
"Yes." An Xin could not say anything more.
"You may go. Remember to watch things carefully and absolutely do not let anyone mistreat Yun'er. Also… have someone send a bowl of medicine over later." The Empress Dowager seemed to have thought of something else and reminded her specifically.
"Empress Dowager…" An Xin was a little unsure of her meaning.
"Take it over and watch her drink it. If she is unwilling, then forget it." The Empress Dowager had made up her mind.
"Yes…" An Xin could only choose to obey.
Not long after, An Xin personally brought the medicine to He An Hall. Because Yu Jingchen had given the order earlier, the guards at the door dared not let An Xin in. However, someone from the Emperor's retinue also arrived at this time, granting An Xin entry.
Nan Zhiyun had already gotten up. Looking at the bowl of medicine brought by the Empress Dowager, Nan Zhiyun did not hesitate at all and drank it directly.
"Your Ladyship, the Empress Dowager is doing this for your own good…" An Xin was afraid Nan Zhiyun might have any reservations.
"I know. I am also truly willing to drink it. After all…" Nan Zhiyun lowered her gaze. She did not want any more entanglements with Yu Jingchen now. If she had a child, then if she could leave one day, she would likely be unable to let go.
"It is a relief that Consort Shu can understand," An Xin said, breathing a sigh of relief.
Zi Chen Palace
Yu Jingchen, having finished the morning court, also knew that the Empress Dowager had sent a bowl of medicine. Without thinking, he knew what it contained. He had felt some displeasure, but when he thought that he had never intended for Nan Zhiyun to bear imperial offspring, he had someone send the medicine over.
Yu Jingchen did not go to He An Hall that day. After learning that she was confined, Nan Zhiyun did not make a fuss but sat quietly and obediently in the room, like a soulless doll, lost in thought.
Sensing the change in His Majesty's attitude towards Consort Shu, Xing Lai had someone keep an eye on the situation from early that morning. Therefore, in this situation, after consideration, he decided to inform Yu Jingchen. Upon hearing this, Yu Jingchen showed no reaction and remained seated, as still as a mountain.
Xing Lai could not guess the meaning behind it, so he said no more and stood quietly by. Yu Jingchen took out a letter and began to write something. Xing Lai dared not get close to see. After finishing, he placed it there, waiting for the ink to dry.
After an unknown amount of time, Yu Jingchen finally made a move. He first put the letter into an envelope and then said to the letter, "Deliver this letter to He An Hall. Say it's from her father."
Huh? Xing Lai was filled with confusion. Hadn't His Majesty just written it? But he quickly reacted and quickly took the letter with both hands.
"Yes, this servant will have someone deliver it immediately." Xing Lai replied.
"Don't let anyone else go. You go yourself," Yu Jingchen rebutted.
"...Yes," Xing Lai replied and then went to He An Hall without daring to delay.
When he arrived, Nan Zhiyun was still sitting by the window, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
"Your Ladyship has been like this all day since she woke up. She hasn't eaten anything," Qian Xia said.
"Alright, this old servant understands." Xing Lai inquired about the situation and then went inside.
"This servant greets Consort Shu. Greetings to Consort Shu." Xing Lai forced a smile.
Nan Zhiyun looked at him and came back to her senses. She asked, "Does Your Majesty have any new orders? Or perhaps a new punishment?" Nan Zhiyun's tone was calm, with no discernible emotion.
"Replying to Your Ladyship, His Majesty has no decree. He merely sent this servant to deliver something." Xing Lai took out the letter in his hand.
"This letter is from General Nan to Your Ladyship. His Majesty said to let Your Ladyship have a look." Xing Lai said this without any guilt. Nan Zhiyun finally showed a reaction.